Gene Hackman

Eugene Allen Hackman (January 30, 1930 – c. February 18, 2025) was an American actor. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and a paragon of the New Hollywood movement, Hackman's mainstream acting career spanned over four decades. He received several accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, one Silver Bear and four Golden Globe Awards.

Born in San Bernardino, California, Hackman developed an interest in acting from a very young age. He made his credited film debut in the drama Lilith (1964). He later won two Academy Awards; his first for Best Actor for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's action thriller The French Connection, and his second for Best Supporting Actor for playing a cruel sheriff in Clint Eastwood's western Unforgiven. He was Oscar-nominated for playing Buck Barrow in the crime drama Bonnie and Clyde, and an FBI agent in the historical drama Mississippi Burning.

Hackman gained further fame for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in three of the Superman films. His other notable roles include The Conversation, Night Moves, Hoosiers, No Way Out, Crimson Tide, The Quick and the Dead, Get Shorty, Enemy of the State, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He retired from acting in 2004, writing novels and occasionally narrating television documentaries, up until 2017. Hackman's health declined in his final years. He was found dead, along with his wife, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His cause of death was deemed a combination of Alzheimer's disease, severe heart disease, and kidney disease.